RDNH: WIPO panel cuts power to energy metering firm’s cybersquatting claim

Firm files cybersquatting claim three years following negotiating to buy domain.

A utility metering firm attempted to reverse hijack the domain name EDMI.com, a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) panel has ruled (pdf).

EDMI Limited filed the dispute against the domain name, which is owned by a domain investor in India.

The investor purchased the domain name in an expired domain auction in 2020 for $4,201. He owns over 200 four letter domains and stated he bought this domain since pronounceable, short domain names have inherent value.

A three-person WIPO panel ruled in favor of the domain owner.

Notably, on the issue of registration and use in bad faith, the panel noted that the domain was previously owned by another firm with the initialism EDMI ahead of its expiration. This shows that the domain could have value to multiple entities.

The panel also found that this was a case of reverse domain name hijacking. EDMI Limited attempted to purchase the domain in 2022. It appears the parties agreed on a price and the domain was sent to escrow, but then EDMI Limited backed out.

The domain investor didn’t hear from EDMI Limited again until this year, when the firm demanded he transfer the domain for $5,000 or face a UDRP.

Scott Austin, Gerald Levine, and David Andrew Allison were the panelists.

Amica Law LLC represented the Complainant, and Ankur Raheja of Cylaw Solutions represented the Respondent.